An introvert exploring faith and real life experiences, which shape this journey.

It’s Time to Speak Up

I have many thoughts swirling in my mind this morning (and it’s now afternoon, which is how long it took me to write this post). I hope I can share in a way that is concise, but there’s so much to say.

Just yesterday, on my early morning run, I listened to a sermon that was convicting in how I am to love those who are hardest to love. That has been a real challenge for me in praying for our national leaders.

And then last night, when I had hoped to go to bed, resting in the knowledge of an extra day off from work, I hear the news that DACA will end.

As someone fairly new to paying attention to all that is going on in our nation and world, I had just recently learned about these fellow Americans they call Dreamers.

These people, most who are my age or younger, were brought into this country by their parents because they desired a better life for them. They knew America offered opportunity and they wanted their children to be a part of it.

I don’t understand why they couldn’t come in legally 20+ years ago, but perhaps that is part of the complication of our immigration system?

Less than 100 years ago, America let in millions of people through Ellis Island and other ports, including my own ancestors. The prosperity of our country is built on the backs of immigrants. All of our families were exiles at one point, why do our leaders now turn up their noses at those seeking the very same freedom we received through our own families, leaving behind their homeland and risking everything to dream big?

The Scripture that came to my mind (and through some of the responses I saw on Twitter), was from Matthew 25.

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

I landed at this verse and have been meditating on it:

As followers of Jesus, we are saved by the faith we have been gifted with. Our belief in Jesus as our Savior gives us eternal life. But through the gift of faith, we are compelled to be the hands and feet of Jesus. How can we simply believe and silently watch as the least of these are rejected? How we treat our neighbor reflects how we treat Jesus.

We can’t be quiet. There’s more to say. More importantly, there’s more to do. We need to speak up. We need to speak up to those who can act.